UCP Central PA

I have been an Early Intervention therapist with UCP of Central PA for 20 years. 20 years! I have stayed this long because I believe in their mission. The mission statement might change over the years, but the theme remains constant, with "Life Without Limits" and "One Team, One Mission...Empowering Others"! I have always felt supported by my managers and the leadership of the agency - including our wonderful CEO and Board. Even through the difficult pandemic, staff was supported and made to feel worthy and empowered to help others. I can truly say I love going to work each and every day. I am grateful for the support I receive so that I can empower my families to provide a life without limits for their children!

Disability Empowerment Center has used Changing Hands many times. Jackie is always very helpful and does her best to meet our requests. Our consumers have diverse needs with limited resources. Changing Hands has been a God send for when they need Adaptive equipment.

I have been employed with UCP for over 10 years. In this time I been blessed to be surrounded by so many knowledgeable, passionate, caring and innovative co-workers. Through some challenging life circumstances, everyone worked with me to help me obtain flexibility when it was truly needed. This kindness and caring extends both to the employees and to those we serve. I can not count the number of times UCP employees from all areas have pulled together to go above and beyond to help another coworker or a family/individual we serve when needed.
I have volunteered at many UCP events over the years. Each one was a wonderful experience. UCP is fully about being One Team One Mission. Everyone one comes together to make sure any undertaking is a success.
I have also donated items to various events and programs; Family Fun Fair, Sibling Workshops; Adopt a Family and Changing Hands. Donating was easy and the items went directly to fill the need as requested.
I am grateful to work for such a wonderful organization that values every individual, creates an atmosphere of teamwork, and exhibits passion on a daily basis.

I have been employed with UCP Central PA for just over 6 months. In this short time, I have grown not only professionally, but personally. I wake up every morning and am excited to go to work because I know that the staff here at UCP is dedicated to providing the very best programs and services to the individuals that we serve. It is because of my fellow team members that I have learned the true meaning of "Love without Limits."

As an intern here at UCP I have learned that they truly care about everyone involved. They value every single employee. They value their staff, and most importantly, they value their consumers. During my stay as an intern, everyone in the office was always looking for me to reach my full potential, and continued to challenge me everyday. Incredibly thankful I got to work for this amazing organization.

I have been an employee of UCP Central PA since December 2017. Professionally UCP has been great- all of my coworkers are helpful and kind, and I find myself doing meaningful, tactile work everyday that I believe truly advances UCP's mantra of "Life without Limits" for so many people in our community. I have had the opportunity to visit many of the programs that UCP administrates and am always impressed with how engaged, friendly, and knowledgeable they are.

One aspect of working at UCP that I have enjoyed is the opportunity to collaborate with other local volunteer organizations and nonprofits. I have been able to work on projects alongside the United Way, Highmark Health, Pennsylvania Advocacy and Resources (PAR), and the DREAM Foundation, among others.

I am frequently surprised by how impassioned UCP employees are- whenever I am working through a problem with coworkers, I can tell that there is a genuine enthusiasm for helping differently-abled people and their families achieve autonomy and independence.

Overall, UCP Central PA is a great place to work, full of volunteers and employees who care about the mission statement and providing the best level of service for our clients.

I worked with a few UCP homes during my time as a Supports Coordinator and with the staff and gentleman at Lisburn House for many years. The house supervisor considered herself , her staff and all the guys there as a part of her family. She was dedicated and hard working. She never shied away from a challenge and there were many. I looked forward to the days when I could visit. Diane not only talked the talk she walked the walk every single day. Staff at UCP homes where I was involved were always putting clients first and showing them how they could reach their full potential as individuals in their community. I miss those days and think of all the individuals often.

From my professional involvement with UCP of Central PA, it is easy to see that this is an organization that truly cares about its mission; to assist infants, children and adults with disabilities. UCP is proud to tell their story, and I am honored to help them tell it. When producing the agency newsletter, I can see the pride in their eyes as they talk about the subjects of each article.

As professional in the field and a parent of a child who received services through UCP Central PA, I have had a wide array of experiences with UCP and their staff. The experience impacting my youngest son is the one that stands out the most for me!! My son was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity and Impulsivity when he was 3 1/2 years old. With this diagnosis, we, along with the staff at UCP's preschool (where he went to for childcare and preschool), experienced a range of emotional outbursts. Some so significant that I am sure most other childcare / preschool programs would have asked him to leave. While there were many ups and downs along the road, the staff hung in there through the thick and thin of it. They rose to the challenge and knew that all I asked was that they at least try something to help him successfully complete a day in preschool. I remember saying that I was prepared for failure if they tried, but not prepared for failure from a lack thereof. Let me tell you, everyone tried!! We as parents were learning and trying new tactics for pick-up time and time in the evening. The staff was trying tactics that focused on our son's strengths, in hopes of overcoming his challenges. The Family Services team was always there with input and advice for specific situations. The therapists on-site were a godsend when we were faced with challenging behavioral outbursts. It was definitely a group effort...one for which I will be forever grateful. I am not sure what my husband and I would have done during those ealry years without the help, guidance, and support of the staff at UCP's Childhood Programs!